Rhine’s low water levels disrupt shipping amid European drought

This summer’s drought and sustained heat led to low water levels in the Rhine River, Europe’s most vital inland shipping channel. Barges sending goods between Germany’s industrial heartland and Benelux seaports have been forced to slash their loads.

Our maritime data lets us visualize these disruptions against historic temperature and rainfall patterns. We’re examining the Kaub chokepoint in Germany, where the Rhine is particularly shallow and a historic gauging station has regulated shipping traffic since the 19th century.

Ships calling at Kaub started soaring past historic norms from late June. The high traffic levels might seem counterintuitive, but they reflect adaptations to low water levels.

When heavier ships are unable to operate at full capacity in the river, they split their loads – reducing their draft by offloading some cargo to other vessels. However, when the Rhine’s level drops even further, as we saw from late July, even some lower-draft vessels can’t operate and traffic plummets.